Future Innovators: ETB Students Shine at 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition

Students from two Limerick and Clare ETB community colleges had an outstanding weekend at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (YSTE), bringing home seven awards at the national competition held at the RDS in Dublin from January 7–10.

Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, and Desmond College, Newcastle West, have long been recognised for their excellence in science, and this year was no exception. Their projects ranged from AI-powered wildlife monitoring to innovative solutions for health and wellbeing, showcasing the depth of talent across the ETB.

This year was particularly special as Stripe, a global technology company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet which was co-founded by Limerick-born brothers Patrick and John Collison, sponsored the event for the first time. Patrick is no stranger to the competition. He first entered the 40th Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition with an AI project nicknamed “Isaac” after Isaac Newton and finished as individual runner-up. He re-entered the following year and won first place at the age of sixteen on 14 January 2005 with his project Croma, a LISP-type programming language. During this year’s exhibition, he visited his former school, Castletroy College, and was joined by Deputy Principal Lisa Kiely and staff to celebrate the achievements of the next generation of innovators.

The 2026 trophies also had a strong local connection, proudly made in Limerick by Croom Medical in Limerick from titanium using 3D-printing technology. They showcased the blend of engineering innovation and scientific discovery at the heart of YSTE. Adding to the local connections, former Young Scientist of the Year Séan O’Sullivan, who won the title in 2024 while at Coláiste Chiaráin for his AI author authentication tool, VerifyMe, returned to the exhibition this year as a judge, continuing the school’s proud tradition at YSTE.

Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, continued its proud tradition in the Young Scientist competition, bringing home three awards from six entries. Tomás O’Sullivan achieved 1st place in the Junior Technology category for Chirp, a low-cost AI tool using AI audio analysis to monitor bats. Miles Bueno and Sarah Hurley received the AerCap Sustainable Skies Award and 2nd place in the Senior Technology Group for PowerPredict, forecasting power grid outages up to 10 days in advance. In addition, John Shanahan was Highly Commended in the Junior Health and Wellbeing category for his project on public awareness of presumed consent for organ donation in Ireland.

Desmond College, Newcastle West, also had a remarkable year, submitting eight projects and winning four major awards and one Highly Commended. Sophie Keane took The Housing Agency Award and 2nd place in the Senior Health & Wellbeing category for Effective Medical Solution for Bed Bugs, while Daniel Doherty earned 2nd place in the Junior Health & Wellbeing category for Grip Geenie, designed to help users with limited hand mobility. Nell McMahon, previously recognised at the BD STEM Stars awards for her work supporting Bell’s Palsy patients, took 3rd place in the Intermediate Health & Wellbeing category for AsthmaSense, a system to record and predict asthma attacks. Other Desmond projects included Adaptive Eats, Chill “N” Heal Bandage Ver. 2.0, Physics Behind the Fastest Way to Empty a Bottle, and Dim the Light, a study of light pollution’s effect on Artemia.

Reflecting on the success of ETB students at the 2026 Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, Director of Schools at Limerick and Clare ETB, Donncha O’Treasaigh, said: “The performance of our students at this year’s Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition reflects their outstanding creativity, curiosity, and dedication. Participation in this competition is a significant accomplishment for both students and schools, giving them the opportunity to develop independent research skills, apply scientific theory to real-world problems, and showcase the innovation and talent thriving across our ETB schools.”

Together, these LCETB students showcased not only technical skill and creativity but also a commitment to solving real-world challenges, reflecting the spirit of innovation at the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

While the overall 2026 YSTE winner was Aoibheann Daly from Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Kerry, for her GiloScope tool aiding brain cancer treatment, LCETB students once again demonstrated that the region is a centre of excellence for emerging scientific talent.